Day 31: Second Fourth of July

Overbrook, KS -> Emporia, KS – 61.9 miles 1,602 ft

“Herding cats” is how our Overbrook host Scott described the MIT Spokes group getting ready in the morning. We rushed to pack our car because we had a special engagement this morning, visiting Scott’s retirement community. Joseph’s glove also went missing in the laundry so hopefully we will find those soon. We biked over to the retirement center, and Scott took our breakfast orders while we chatted with the retired folks about their interests and lives in the community. I’m glad we had the opportunity to interact with the local folks more.

Yesterday was so amazing that it didn’t seem real. I am still thinking about the amazing hot tub, but today’s rain is a reminder that the world is temperamental. Speaking of temperamental, so is my body. My period cramps forced me to ride in the car today despite my intention to bike. This frustrated me because I like being able to accomplish the tasks I set out to do. However, I knew that if someone else were in my position, I would tell them to rest.

Ruth is the driver today and I trust her to get things done. We got in the car and said goodbye to Scott and the retirement center while the bikers set off to our first rest stop. Ruth started watching Straw and I took a nap. Many others had the same idea because Charles and Joseph also took a nap at the first rest stop.

The second rest stop brought stories of many adventures. The address pointed to a private property again, so Ruth interacted with a stranger (out of character for her) to find a different place to park. We don’t want an incident like yesterday to happen again. Ishaq arrived first because he was trying to best his personal record. The bikers told us about a closed trail that sent them to the street. However, they couldn’t figure out how to return to the trail which kept them on a windy highway for longer than comfortable. Ramona crossed a yellow-taped, do-not-enter bridge. Luckily the bridge did not collapse. If we lost Ramona, we might not go on.

The flatness of Kansas brought about other challenges. Apparently, the bikers faced a 20-mph headwind all day. While today was not the longest ride, it was a tiring day for many Spokies. However, I wouldn’t know what it’s like because I was asleep in the car all day.

Vickie, our host, welcomed us into Didde Catholic Center which had a kitchen, laundry machines, and a shower. What more could we ask for? She permitted us to set off fireworks and told us stories about other visitors to the center. She locked up after us after giving us a key for for easy access to the center. The basement of the center is a child’s dream. It had a switch, a ping pong table, foosball, air hockey, and a pool table. What more could we ask for?

Because Scott was so kind and gave us amazing activities and food for the actual Fourth of July (Yesterday). The Spokes Fourth of July was decided to be set on the fifth of July. The festivities began with Ruth cutting open a watermelon for all to enjoy. Our chefs Charles and Ramona made burgers for dinner. I made peach cobbler (despite having never eaten one) and salad. Many Spokies hadn’t had peach cobbler before so thankfully the taste didn’t matter. Ruth picked up some vital groceries for the dinner crew. We also finally started New York Times’ 36 questions to fall in love during this dinner. Last year’s Spokes recommended them to us. Maybe we will fall in love with each other after we finish these questions. I sure hope so. Otherwise, I am going to sue NYT.

After an intermission of washing dishes, air hockey, and ping pong, the Spokies started setting off firecrackers, sparklers, smoke balls, and Roman candles. Ishaq taunted Greta with a Roman candle which scared Greta enough to run. She fell after slipping on some fine gravel but luckily, she was alright. Clint Lawler (Greta’s Dad) will not be happy with Ishaq after reading this blog. Charles had a (brilliant?) idea to tape a crayon smoke bomb to his bike. He biked around the Didde Center parking lot while his bike farted.

We finished the fireworks activities with a fireworks show. I set off a big fireworks shell for the first time in my life! Our neighbor also had a couple of fireworks shows. Watching these fireworks go off in the night sky, I felt a strange sense of belonging. All these people around me were only strangers a few months ago. The word fate comes to mind. Looking into the night sky filled with transient sparks of light, I couldn’t help but feel the ephemeral connection between the eight of us this one summer like the brilliant fireworks. Short, but cozy and filled with beauty.

All in all, a great second fourth of July.